Storable Truck Ramp

ABSTRACT

A complex three part ramp system that is securely attached to the floor of a truck, van, or trailer allows easy access to load and unload cargo therefrom. When not in use, the ramp can be concealed in such a way that it is almost invisible.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/855,922 filed on May 28, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trailer ramps that are attached to trucks can be very helpful, but can also cause problems. One problem is what to do with the ramp when it is not in use. Consequently, an easy-to-use mechanism for installing, concealing, revealing, operating, and storing a trailer ramp is desired.

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a ramp system attached to an example truck;

FIG. 2 shows the ramp system of FIG. 1 in a concealed mode of operation;

FIG. 3 shows the ramp system of FIGS. 1 and 2 but without the truck;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the ramp system;

FIG. 5 shows more detail of the movable ramp surface;

FIG. 6 shows the system in a fully-extended, in-use state of operation;

FIG. 7 shows detail of the middle portion;

FIG. 8 shows in part the relationship between the middle portion and the movable ramp surface;

FIG. 9 shows part of the relationship of the middle portion with the enclosure; and

FIG. 10 shows the cross-beams and underbelly of the movable ramp surface. -

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In all drawings the views intended as mere examples, so that embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered as limited exclusively thereto.

Trailer ramps usually fall into 3 groups: steel, wood, or aluminum and short in length, usually 7 feet of less, and not being attached to the vehicle. Meanwhile, in contrast, the embodiments disclosed herein improve on the prior art by being stronger and lighter than wood, and permanently attached to the tailgate section of a vehicle which keeps it in place when loading and unloading. As such, they stay attached to the truck, trailer, or van floor making them always available when needed.

The embodiments disclosed herein create a storage compartment allowing use of the truck, trailer, or van without any storage problems. Further, persons can walk up and down the ramps without getting feet caught in gaps or holes. Also, tailgates are protected from damage caused by equipment resting on thereupon.

FIG. 1 shows a ramp system 100, attached to an example truck, in a fully-expanded, in-use mode of operation. From FIG. 1 it is apparent that the ramp system 100 comprises an enclosure 104, a middle 108, and a movable ramp surface 112. FIG. 2 shows the ramp system 100 in a concealed, nonuse mode of operation. When installed but in the concealed, non-use mode, the system 100 will not hinder the normal operation of the truck, van, or trailer it is attached to.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the truck and is intended to illustrate that the system 100 will not be seen (concealed) when not in operation, thereby making it almost invisible. FIG. 3 shows the system 100 by itself, separate from any vehicle, expanded and in operation mode rather than concealed mode.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a side (cut away) view of the truck to more effectively illustrate the enclosure 104, middle 108, movable ramp portion 112 and how they attach to a vehicle. Although a truck is illustrated In FIGS. 1 and 2, this is but for example purposes only, and the system 100 can be attached to other types of vehicles. Within FIGS. 1 and 2, the truck is shown without a rear side panel, but only in order to more easily illustrate the embodiments disclosed herein. No modification to the truck is required to install the system 100.

The design of the system 100 allows the consumer to securely attach the storage compartment to the floor of the truck, trailer, or van for safety. The movable ramp section 112 and the middle 108 slide into the enclosure 104, allowing the system 100 to stay in the truck and be ready for use anytime.

The enclosure 104 is always stationary and permanently affixed to the truck bed or vehicle surface. Meanwhile, the middle 108 and movable ramp surface 112 are both movable and siidable.

FIG. 4 shows a simplified side view of the system 100, with some parts omitted for clarity.

FIG. 5 shows more detail of the movable ramp surface 112. The surface is patterned with a type of non-slip semi-serrated edging that is suitable for walking and providing good steady traction even when wet or in inclement weather. One potential way to implement this edging is with a material called GRIPSTRUT®, although other mechanisms can also be used. Although not shown in any Figure, a non-GRIPSTRUT® form of serrated surface also exists within the system 100.

FIG. 6 shows cross-sectional views of the enclosure 104, middle 108, and movable ramp surface 112, arranged in such a way as to indicate their relative size and proportions to each other.

FIG. 7 shows more detail of the middle portion 108, specifically a stopper member 704 and a peg 708. These are used to ensure that during use, the system 100 stays assembled and does not accidentally come apart. FIG. 8 shows in part how this staying together is achieved. The movable ramp surface 112 has a cradle 804 which matches up with the peg 708 of the middle portion 108. During movement/usage of the system 100, the cradle 804 catches on the peg 708, so that the movable ramp surface 112 is prevented from coming physically disengaged from the middle portion 108.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9, during movement/usage of the system 100, member 704 of the middle portion 108 catches on member 904 of the enclosure 104, so that these also remain attached and can not come apart.

FIG. 10 shows more detail of the movable ramp surface 112, and how it may be constructed. The specific construction shown in FIG. 10 is but for example purposes only, so that the various embodiments should not be considered as limited exclusively thereto. In FIG. 10 it is apparent that the movable ramp surface 112 is composed of an underbody 1004 which can be composed of, for example, laddered structures 1008 having a square cross-section. Attached to the laddered structures can be a non-slip surface.

Assembly

The system 100 can be manufactured in a variety of ways and sequences, of which the following are merely non-limited examples. This includes fabricating an enclosure having a rectangular cross-section with an open bottom, where the enclosure has two ends, a truckside end and a non-truckside end; locating a transverse member on an upper interior surface at the non-truckside end of the enclosure; fabricating a middle portion having a rectangular cross-section with an open bottom, where the middle portion has two ends, a truckside end and a non-truckside end; locating a transverse member on an upper interior surface at the truckside end of the middle portion, and locating a pair of cradles at opposing side interior surfaces at the non-truckside end of the middle portion; fabricating a movable ramp surface having a rectangular cross-section with an open bottom, where the movable ramp surface has two ends, a truckside end and a non-truckside end; and locating a pair of pegs on opposing side interior surface at the truckside end of the movable ramp surface.

The step of fabricating the movable ramp surface, could further comprises fabricating two lengthwise beams to have the same length, have a square cross-section, and be spaced apart at a predetermined width forming a plurality of cross-beams to be located at pre-determined intervals between the lengthwise beams; and forming a non-slip surface to be the same length as the two lengthwise beams.

The step of fabricating the movable ramp surface could further comprise attaching the plurality of cross-beams at the pre-determined intervals to the lengthwise beams; and then attaching the non-slip surface to both the lengthwise beams and also the cross-beams.

The step of fabricating the movable ramp surface could further comprise attaching the non-slip surface to the lengthwise beams: and then attaching the plurality of cross-beams at the pre-determined intervals to the lengthwise beams.

The step of fabricating the movable ramp surface could further comprise attaching the non-slip surface to the plurality of cross-beams, wherein the step of attaching further comprises welding.

Installation

The system 100 is installed within the truck bed or other surface by, for example, self-engaging screws that penetrate into the surface of the truckbed but do not require matching bolts, and do not require accessing the truck from underneath. However, it is also possible to install the system 100 using a screw-bolt arrangement, in which an installer accesses the truck bed or installation surface from both above and below.

The system 100 can be delivered to a purchaser either in a fully assembled state, but also in a separated state, where the enclosure 104, middle 108, and movable ramp surface 112 are not yet joined. In such a case, the purchaser/installer would self-assemble the system 100 first, and then load it into the truck-bed or other surface while fully assembled. Afterwards, the installer would bolt or secure the system 100 to the truck bed.

For at least the purpose of reliability, it is intended that once installed, the middle 108 and movable ramp surface cannot come loose from the enclosure 104. As such, it is not possible to install the components 104, 108, and 112 separately, as once the enclosure 104 is in place, attempting to install from the front of the system 100 would not be successful. The pegs 708, cradles 804, and members 704 and 904 are all securely welded into place and cannot be dislodged. As such, attempts to load from the front would be blocked by the members 704/904, which would clash and not permit entry. Further, the pegs 708 and cradles 804 would also clash and not permit entry.

Prior to installation, the three finished parts 104,108, and 112 of the system 100 are easily combined by hand, as the three finished parts 104, 108, and 112 slide together without difficulty. However, once the system 100 is installed, it is intended that the three parts 104, 108, and 112 cannot come apart or separate. This is because there are only two directions these parts can move, either toward the truck cab or away from the truck cab. In moving the three parts 104, 108, and 112 away from the truck cab, separation is prevented by the members, pegs, and cradles discussed earlier.

Meanwhile, moving the parts 104, 108, and 112 toward the truck cab is not possible, as the truck cab itself inhibits such movement.

SUMMARY

The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a ramp system 100 with its own storage compartment that stays with the vehicle making the system 100 ready to use at any time. The length of the storage compartment and ramps come in a variety of sizes to fit most truck beds or other vehicle surfaces. By securely attaching the device to the floor of the truck, van, or trailer, the system 100 will not move out of position or collapse while being used to load or unload cargo.

The system 100 provides a safe, secure, longer, and stronger them most ramps on the market. The enclosure 104 forms an area where the other portions of the system 100 are located and concealed when not in use. The length of this enclosure 104 allows a consumer to use and store longer ramps then most ramps on the market.

The system 100 is securely attached to the truck or van or trailer by bolts or screws, by a mounting system of bolts and or self-drilling screws used to secure the invention to the floor of truck, trailer, or van. The screws or bolts can be counter-sunk, potentially into preconfigured access holes. The system 100 stays with the vehicle ready to use when needed, is attached and secured to the vehicle but not removed between uses. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A storable ramp system, comprising: an enclosure, a middle portion, a movable ramp surface, wherein the enclosure is fastened to a vehicle, and the middle portion and movable ramp surface are movably fastened to the enclosure, wherein during operation, the movable ramp surface extends from the middle portion to the ground, and can be used for loading and unloading cargo to/from the vehicle, and where during non-operation, the movable ramp surface and the middle portion can be slid entirely into the enclosure and thus completely concealed from view.
 2. The system of claim 1, former comprising: the middle portion having two ends, truckside and non-truckside, and having symmetrical pegs located on an interior portion of the non-truckside end, the movable ramp surface having two ends, truckside and non-truckside, and having symmetrical cradles located on an interior portion of the truckside end, wherein the movable ramp surface is prevented from becoming physically disengaged with the middle portion through the physical matching of the pegs with the cradles.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising: the middle portion having two ends, truckside and non-truckside, and having a member located on an interior portion of the truckside end, the enclosure having two ends, truckside and non-truckside, and having a member located on an interior portion of the non-truckside end, wherein the enclosure is prevented from becoming physically disengaged with the middle portion through the physical matching of the members.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein all components are made from high-strength low-weight aluminum.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: the movable ramp surface having components made from a non-slip material.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: the movable ramp surface having components made from GRIPSTRUT®.
 7. The system, of claim 1, further comprising: the pegs being attached to the movable ramp surface by drilling a hole, poking the peg through the hole, and then welding the pegs to the movable ramp surface.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: the pegs being attached to the movable ramp surface by welding.
 9. A method of manufacturing a storable ramp system, comprising: fabricating an enclosure having a rectangular cross-section with an open bottom, where the enclosure has two ends, a truckside end and a non-truckside end; locating a transverse member on an upper interior surface at the non-truckside end of the enclosure; fabricating a middle portion having a rectangular cross-section with an open bottom, where the middle portion has two ends, a truckside end and a non-truckside end; locating a transverse member on an upper interior surface at the truckside end of the middle portion, and locating a pair of cradles at opposing side interior surfaces at the non-truckside end of the middle portion; fabricating a movable ramp surface having a rectangular cross-section with an open bottom, where the movable ramp surface has two ends, a truckside end and a non-truckside end; and locating a pair of pegs on opposing side interior surface at the truckside end of the movable ramp surface.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of fabricating the movable ramp surface further comprises: fabricating two lengthwise beams to have the same length, have a square cross-section and be spaced apart at a predetermined width; forming a plurality of cross-beams to be located at pre-determined intervals between the lengthwise beams; and forming a non-slip surface to be the same length as the two lengthwise beams.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of fabricating the movable ramp surface further comprises; attaching the plurality of cross-beams at the predetermined intervals to the lengthwise beams; and then attaching the non-slip surface to both the lengthwise beams, and also the cross-beams.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of fabricating the movable ramp surface further comprises: attaching the non-slip surface to the lengthwise beams; and then attaching the plurality of cross-beams at the pre-determined intervals to the lengthwise beams.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of fabricating the movable ramp surface further comprises: attaching the non-slip surface to the plurality of cross-beams.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of attaching further comprises welding.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of attaching further comprises welding.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of attaching further comprises welding.
 17. A method of installing a storable ramp system, comprising: locating a movable/slidable middle portion to movably operate within an enclosure, yet not be separable therefrom; locating a movable/slidable ramp portion to movably operate within the enclosure and middle portion, yet not be separable from the middle portion; and securing the enclosure to a vehicle surface.
 18. The method of claim 17, where in the step of securing an enclosure to a vehicle surface further comprises; using self-engaging screws. 